Saturday, March 17, 2012

Another reason to loathe the Chicago Bears (Sorry, Gino)

I've often said it's never a great idea for celebrities or athletes to endorse political candidates or make political statements in general. NBA star, Nike endorsement king and Democrat Michael Jordan had it right back in late '80s/early '90s when asked why he wouldn't publicly assist prominent Democrat candidates. "Republicans buy Nikes, too," he said.

Don't get me wrong here. I am fully aware that from a first amendment standpoint, any and every American absolutely has the right to endorse (or condemn) a member of our nation's Government without fear of retribution from said body. However, what I'm saying is a celebrity's business is left vulnerable to the consuming public since it's likely that nearly half of their fans aren't aligned with him/her politically (see The Dixie Chicks).

But since Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith is employed in the home city of the White House's current occupant, I'm sure he's safe in the knowledge that Chicagoans won't abandon their allegiance to the team.

I can only assume Smith is speaking of his Bears club, since they just completed a trade for WR Brandon Marshall. And with a healthy QB Jay Cutler, the Bears are a legit playoff contender.

The President has done so much. Healthcare, ending the Iraq war, new jobs.

Yes, the President has done so much in the same way a tornado "did so much" to a trailer park.

Let us start with healthcare. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has recently shot a hole in the President's $900 billion healthcare estimate, indicating it will now cost nearly double that, to the tune of $1.76 trillion over 10 years. And it also appears less people will be covered than initially estimated.

Ending the Iraq war? Listen, I for one am growing quite dismayed with this chanting point. The agreement to end the Iraq war at the end of 2011 was agreed to in late 2008when Obama was not even President.

And finally, jobs. The Obama administration has been touting the fact that the most recent 8.3% unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in nearly three years. But if this number accounted for the shrinking Labor Force Participation in addition to individuals who stop collecting unemployment but are not actively seeking work, this number would be close to or above 10%! So if indeed there are "new jobs", they are in far less supply than those which have dissipated.

But it’s not about where we are now, it’s about our future, and that’s what I’m excited about.

Coach Smith likes the prospects of being another Greece, eh? Looking back at Obama's nomination speech in August 2008, the Greek Columns in the backdrop are very symbolic now.

You have to be patient and kind of look into the future and our future is looking bright because I trust the man that will be leading us in the future. And that man is Barack Obama. I have the President‘s back and it’s left up to us, as African Americans, to show that we have his back also. Join African Americans for President Obama today.

And what about those African Americans who don't support President Obama? Do they, in your eyes, not believe in a "bright future" Coach Smith?

About Me

Christian. Husband. Conservative. Sports rube.
I host a weekly radio show Sundays from 2:00 pm until 3:00 Central Time on Twin Cities station AM 1280 The Patriot. You can also listen online at www.am1280thepatriot.com